Entertainment

Love is a beautiful thing, don’t get it twisted. The much anticipated wedding between singer Banky W and his actress wife Adesua Etomi finally took place today in Lagos with friends, family and well wishers present to participate in their beautiful love story.

Star of Ghost Lover, Felicia Fred is an instagram model setting social media on fire. What with 7000, 000 followers. In this chat with Entertainer, the indigence of Anambra State and brand ambassador for Sniper Energy Drink opens up on career, growing up and her close brush with death among other issues.

Which of your parents did you get your beautiful looks from?

I would say both but especially my mum; I have her exact looks and voice.

At what point did you discover you wanted to be an actress?

Since I was nine years old I had always known I would be in the entertainment industry probably as a dancer, actor or whatever but It became clear to me on September 7, 2001.

What happened on that date?

God helped me escape from killers and I realised that life is too short. I experienced a lot of drama and since I knew I could act it became clear to me that acting is what I would love to do when I grow up. I couldn’t pursue it at that age because my parents wouldn’t allow it; they had wanted me to be a lawyer but I chose Theatre Arts but my mum insisted on Mass Communication. After I finished my tertiary education and after my youth service I joined Nollywood in 2015.

How did you get your first role ever?

I got a DM on Instagram from a producer shortly after I posted a skit after my twerk video…

Wow! Twerk video?

Yeah… twerking is like an African cultural dance so saying it is a development doesn’t make sense to me because it has always been there.

What does love mean to you?

Love is what it is called; love. Everyone needs it. And of course I am not excluded from that.

What are those qualities you look out for in a guy

First of all I am not looking for a guy; let us start from there.

But a woman needs to be loved and cuddled?

Oh really? Good to know.

Don’t you need a man in your life?

Every woman does.

What is your take on lesbianism in Nollywood?

Lesbianism is everywhere, within and outside the industry so it’s irrelevant to specify my take on it.

Have you heard about the lesbian click running Nollywood? Have they reached out to you?

Oh well, it is normal and I don’t wanna go into details on that.

What was growing up like?

My growing up was interesting. I grew up in Jos and I was present during the war between Christians and Moslems in 2001. It was on my birthday, September 7, when Moslem fanatics invaded my primary school in Jos and my best friend took a bullet for me and I had to sleep on a mountain top that night and that experience changed my life forever. It made me realize that life is sweet but it could be over at the snap of a finger! From that very moment I took charge of my life. I am talking about war, cold blooded war and this happened in 2001 when I had just turned nine. Houses were burnt, people were killed and betrayed; it was ruthless. I watched a pregnant woman killed and her baby ripped out from her womb while her killers laughed. I ran and I had to sleep on a mountain that night thinking of my parents; it was my birthday. I never imagined a thing like this could happen because we were supposed to celebrate my birthday with cakes and candles. Rather it was with gunfire, bullets and death.

Do you get nightmares due to your close brush with death?

Yes I did but it only made me stronger.

Today you have over 700, 000 followers on Instagram and there is a lot of killings going across Nigeria by Fulani herdsmen and terrorists. Are you planning to use that platform to create awareness about the need for peace in Nigeria?

Yes, when it is time because I am still building my brand. However, in my own way I try to support through anonymous donations. More so I want to use my platform to spread love because only love can bring peace. If only we could learn to love one another we would be united and peace will flourish.

Super Eagles and Arsenal’s forward Alex Iwobi has said the senior national team has an array of players that can shock any country at world Cup finals in Russia next year summer. Iwobi explained during a Radio Programme yesterday that his belief was anchored on the quality of players on parade for the Eagles in the last two qualification matches for Russia 2018. “I have not seen a group of committed and talented players since I have been playing the game.

“Their mental strength and skills in all departments of the game is second to none. Infact they showed that the sport is all about team work and not about individualism. “If we take the same spirit to the World Cup next year, I think this team can shock the rest of the world in Russia.

“The friendly match against former world champions is an an indication that the Eagles can hold their own against any team in the world,” he said. He thanked the Nigerian government and its people for massive support the team has enjoyed while assuring that they would not disappoint them during the World Cup campaign.

The world woke up Monday morning to a bathrobe-wearing celebrity on the MTV EMA red carpet and we can’t seem to wrap our heads around it – literally.

No need trying to figure out what went wrong, British singer, Rita Ora didn’t forget to wear her real outfit for the MTV EMAs, she actually set out to wear a bath robe. And that’s exactly why they’re the in-thing now.

When pyjamas transitioned from sleepwear to daywear and became one of 2017’s biggest trends, we were nearly certain that would be the only bedroom breakout of the year. But Rita Ora is here to prove us wrong.

Picking from androgynous menswear line, Palomo Spain’s SS18 collection, Ora brought the bathrobe to the EMAs with dual force. First, she appeared on the red carpet in a flowing white robe with a head wrap that sat still to match. She paired the look with a pair of white heels and Lorraine Schwartz diamonds that have been estimated at $7.8 million.

Ora went on to host the show in another bathrobe, this time a short one just in case you all were not convinced. And she toned it down with a pair of white snickers.

Let’s be honest. Bathrobes may really turn out to be the comfiest piece of clothing in your wardrobe but would you be bold enough to rock it?

Tiwa Savage’s 2-hour long tell-all interview with the journalist, Azuka Ogujiuba, following a series of emotional social media posts and an alleged suicide attempt by her husband Tunji Balogun, marked a historic moment for African pop culture, but it would seem the pop diva is now intent on re-writing the narrative that followed the presumed public dissolution of her marriage.

Speaking in an interview with Beat FM’s with Toolz Oniru, Tiwa Savage underlined the success of successful women like Oprah Winfrey and Mo Abudu with the immeasurable amount of work these women had to do.

Her premise starts off with a tinge of advocacy with Tiwa Savage noting that, “they probably had to do 20 times more what their male counterparts had to do”. Then she added this bit:

“But Once you get there, you don’t complain about how you got there. So, whatever it is you have to do as a female, you just have to get it done. I also don’t think men and women are equal, I don’t think that’s how God created us, especially in the household anyway. So I think as females when we realise that we can be strong in our career when we are home we have to realise that the man is the head of the house.”

Here is Tiwa Savage, a woman who fans rallied support for after she came under fire for largely causing the failure of her marriage. Her timely release of her side of the story at the time somewhat balanced tides, leaving a lot to debate but enough to show the public she was as much a victim of the internal problems of her marriage.

Now, Tiwa has not only internalised the patriarchal problems of the music industry even though it puts women at a disadvantage, it also seems the singer is now taking back some of the recourse that came with calling out some of her husbands own mistakes.

Tiwa Savage is not the first woman to perpetuate misogynistic narratives about other women. Last year, “Ferarri”, the lead single off Yemi Alade’s Mama Africa album was criticised for pushing a false materialism narrative about women. Yemi’s response, to the debacle, did nothing to alleviate her blunder nor correct the going narrative that women can be bought with material possession.

Then there was the mildly confusing manner with which celebrity photographer and musician, TY Bello narrate her experiences in dealing with her own abuse.

But interesting thing about Tiwa Savage and a lot of the women celebrity class – and indeed many others who aren’t celebrities – is that they forget that their own struggles is not the norm.

Their elevated position in society should be a platform to fight for the coming generation to have it easier. To see the same woman whom we all brandished a victim, survivor and inspiration, tout the narrative that women sometimes have to work twice as hard when men don’t AND THAT IT IS OKAY shows how disconnected the average celebrity is from the cutthroat realities that wealth and position insulate them from.

If Tiwa had bothered to check, Oprah Winfrey whom she mentioned has often spoken of how her professional journey as a minority (woman, or black) has impacted the way that she now leads and tries to inspire the younger generation. And it’s always inspiring not dooming.

Perhaps what we should stop doing is expecting celebrities to know shit about gender politics. We must stop expecting them to have practical tips for us on how to navigate the troubled paths we assume they took to their own successes because all they seem to do is let us down.

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has tipped the Super Eagles of Nigeria to do well in the Russia 2018 World Cup. Wenger Wenger who made his feelings known in a social media post in the club’s officials page added that Nigeria will do well at the tournament. “Good morning congratulations to all our fans in Nigeria – I know that you are very, very many and we are very proud that you have qualified for the World Cup. On top of that of course, our player scored the goal for you and that makes us even prouder”, he said. “Well done and see you at the World Cup and I’m sure you will have a great, great trip there “, he said in the 24 seconds video post. Meanwhile Wenger said it was sad Alexi Sanchez failed to make the World Cup with Chile. “I watched the whole game to see how difficult it was and he got some special treatment in this game. It was very physical. I believe the World Cup is a stimulant, but when you don’t have it you focus on your club and what you can achieve.”

Nollywood actress Juliet Ibrahim has called on her colleagues and other Nigerian celebrities to donate for and help the people displaced by the Makurdi flood.

Ibrahim made a video 0n her Instagram, saying she’s starting the #MakurdiFloodReliefChallenge to help those displaced by the flood.

To kick off the challenge, she will be personally donating N500,000 to the cause, she said.

He foundation, the Juliet Ibrahim Foundation, will also be donating N500,000.

She shared the post with a caption, writing about her experience as a refugee herself. She wrote.

Waking up to news about so many natural disasters happening around the world has been extremely devastating. The most recent ones that struck me were ‘Hurricane Harvey’ in Houston Texas, the mudslide’s in Sierra Leone, and now the flooding in Makurdi. Many families have lost everything, and even worse, many lives have been lost.
I’ve once lived as a refugee, and I know what it means to work for something, and lose it all in the blink of an eye. Hence my decision today, to donate. Starting with the most recent and nearest, I will be donating the sum of 500,000 Naira and another 500,000 Naira on behalf of The Juliet Ibrahim Foundation, to the Makurdi flood victims.
I am also using this opportunity to challenge my fellow colleagues, friends, and fans to join in. Let’s help out by donating to this cause. #MakurdiFloodReliefChallenge
I need my friends to step up to the challenge. Once you’ve accepted the challenge, simply post or tweet stating you have accepted and then tag those you’d like to challenge. You don’t have to announce the amount you are donating. The goal is to raise 10 Million Naira.

Celebrities are doing their bit abroad for the ‘Hurricane Harvey’ victims, and I pray we can also do it over here for the Makurdi flood victims.
You can donate into our bank account- JULIET IBRAHIM FOUNDATION – 1014682224 – Zenith Bank Nigeria
Please use the hashtag #MakurdiFloodReliefChallenge when donating.
No amount is too small, let’s all chip in.

Plenty. Just about all of the games on this busy afternoon/evening will be vital in determining who finishes at the top of their groups and secures qualification for the World Cup finals.

Let’s start with Group E, where the big game see leaders Uganda take on second-placed Egypt in Alexandria. The Cranes would love a draw to consolidate their place at the top of the log, but don’t count out a revenge job from the Pharaohs.

Just two points separate all four teams in Group D, but host sides Burkina Faso and South Africa will back themselves to claim victories and open up a gap between them and their opponents, Senegal and Cape Verde respectively.

One of the best games on offer will come from Kinshasa, where DR Congo will look to draw level at the top of Group A with Tunisia. The Carthage Eagles won 2-1 in the teams’ first meeting in Rades on Friday and will head to Central Africa hoping to defend their lead position.

Group C will also take a clearer shape with likely wins for Ivory Coast and Morocco against Gabon (home) and Mali (away), while Algeria will hope to win in Constantine against Algeria and give themselves hope of catching Nigeria at the top of Group B.

And which players should I keep an eye on?

Ivory Coast cruised to a 3-0 away win over Gabon on the weekend thanks to a brace from Seydou Doumbia and it’s hard to look past the striker for his side’s home game against the Panthers in Bouake.

Egypt will need Mohamed Salah to step up for their return game against Uganda, South Africa’s Tokelo Rantie scored against Cape Verde on Saturday night and will hope to repeat the feat – only this time in a winning cause – and DR Congo’s Cedric Bakambu will look to inspire the Leopards in their crunch home game against Tunisia.

Is AfricanFootball covering any of the games live?

Yes – We’ll have LIVE play-by-play coverage for no less than three matches: Congo v Ghana, SA v Cape Verde and Egypt v Uganda.